Manipur Home Minister alleges external funding behind ‘Save Manipur’ protest in Delhi
Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam claims the ‘Save Manipur’ slogan at Jantar Mantar protest is meant to provoke Manipuri youths and says opposition is “
Manipur’s Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam alleged that protesters raising the “Save Manipur” slogan during a protest linked to the CJP at Jantar Mantar in Delhi were trying to provoke young people from the state. Speaking at a press conference in Imphal at the BJP state headquarters, he said Manipur would be “saved by its own people” rather than through sloganeering carried out outside the state.
Claim of political workers behind the protest
Konthoujam accused opposition parties of inciting unrest, saying opposition workers were present behind the students leading the demonstration. He claimed there were hardly any CJP supporters at the venue, and that people from parties such as AAP, Congress, Samajwadi Party and Communist parties were involved in pushing the crowd toward violence.
He also linked the Delhi protest to plans to disturb parliamentary proceedings. According to Konthoujam, the Jantar Mantar protest and a sit-in by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in front of the Prime Minister’s residence were meant to disrupt the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Concerns over FCRA rules and questions on supplies
Konthoujam further alleged that some protest organizers were unhappy with changes to Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) rules made by the Centre. He said the protest appeared to be funded from outside the country and questioned the source of items brought to the venue. He also criticised opposition parties for what he described as lowering India’s image and said issues should be debated and resolved in Parliament.
Responding to questions about damage to a Bailey bridge in Manipur’s Kamjong district, he said police are working to identify the exact cause. Konthoujam noted that two versions have emerged: one suggests the bridge may have been blown up by militants from across the border, while another points to miscreants within the state. He did not announce a conclusion.
Government spokesperson Dr Sapam Ranjan and other BJP leaders, including BJP MLAs H. Dingo Singh, Paonam Brojen and Md. Achabuddin, also attended the press conference. Konthoujam urged young people to trust the government and its approach to youth-focused policies, including fast-track courts mentioned earlier in the day.
